Scopes on the .44 Magnum

[Doug M.]

My recollection, which might be poor, is that as a gun magazine reader in the late 70s/early 80s, the reports ere not favorable for scopes on handguns as the recoil impulse (at least on bigger calibers) was pretty harsh compared to being mounted on a rifle. Since I am not a physicist, my understanding might be really wrong.

 

[jake1945]

I have a Leopold 2x on my 7 inch Ruger Redhawk. Yeah, it's heavy!

 

[stansdds]

My recollection, which might be poor, is that as a gun magazine reader in the late 70s/early 80s, the reports ere not favorable for scopes on handguns as the recoil impulse (at least on bigger calibers) was pretty harsh compared to being mounted on a rifle. Since I am not a physicist, my understanding might be really wrong.

Your recollection is just fine. Scope movement and durability were problems in the early days of scoped, heavy recoiling handguns.

 

[gdpolk]

I've had the following optics on my 44mags, among other heavy hitters bigger:

• RMR
• Holosun 407
• UltraDot
• Leupold 2x20
• Leupold VX3 2.5-8x32
• Burris 2x20
• Burris 2-7x32
• Bushnell 2-6

My thoughts on it are:

• Scoping a handgun with shorter than a 7.5" barrel is a waste of handiness in a sidearm. Unless the gun is long and bulky anyway, I prefer irons. Once its too large to not be in a backpack or bandolier holster, scopes can add stability and precision and allow you to stretch ranges.
• My favorite illuminated sight is the 407c-gr x2. It's the same size/format as an RMR but has better features, is ROCK SOLID, and cheaper. I actually prefer using it to the more expensive RMR irregardless of price.
• The Leupold 2x20 is the king of hunting scopes because it's the smallest and lightest of the bunch with a phenomenal sight picture and wide field of view. I never need more magnification for hunting and it has been the strongest and most reliable of the bunch.
• The VX3 variable has the best optics but is super bulky and has a very unforgiving eye box. It's ideal for target/range use but too finicky in hold for me to want it for field use.
• The Burris 2-7 has been the most forgiving telescopic sight but I've had several rattle loose on heavy recoiling handguns. Burris customer service has always been good, but I'd relegate them to lighter recoiling firearms personally.

These days I have only two handguns with optics, a 480 Ruger with a Holosun and a 629 with the 2x20 Leupold. If I ever get a long barreled 460xvr, I think it'll have the variable power Leupold for fun at the range at long distances off a bench.

 

[Gun Relics]

I've had the following optics on my 44mags, among other heavy hitters bigger:

• RMR
• Holosun 407
• UltraDot
• Leupold 2x20
• Leupold VX3 2.5-8x32
• Burris 2x20
• Burris 2-7x32
• Bushnell 2-6

My thoughts on it are:

• Scoping a handgun with shorter than a 7.5" barrel is a waste of handiness in a sidearm. Unless the gun is long and bulky anyway, I prefer irons. Once its too large to not be in a backpack or bandolier holster, scopes can add stability and precision and allow you to stretch ranges.
• My favorite illuminated sight is the 407c-gr x2. It's the same size/format as an RMR but has better features, is ROCK SOLID, and cheaper. I actually prefer using it to the more expensive RMR irregardless of price.
• The Leupold 2x20 is the king of hunting scopes because it's the smallest and lightest of the bunch with a phenomenal sight picture and wide field of view. I never need more magnification for hunting and it has been the strongest and most reliable of the bunch.
• The VX3 variable has the best optics but is super bulky and has a very unforgiving eye box. It's ideal for target/range use but too finicky in hold for me to want it for field use.
• The Burris 2-7 has been the most forgiving telescopic sight but I've had several rattle loose on heavy recoiling handguns. Burris customer service has always been good, but I'd relegate them to lighter recoiling firearms personally.

These days I have only two handguns with optics, a 480 Ruger with a Holosun and a 629 with the 2x20 Leupold. If I ever get a long barreled 460xvr, I think it'll have the variable power Leupold for fun at the range at long distances off a bench.

Concerning the Holosun 407, in your experience, up to what distance would you say is a reasonably accurate range. I just tried a red dot sight for the first time but it was at a concealed weapons carry class (required in California for a permit) in a classroom situation. I have not used one. They seem very interesting and versatile, including nighttime use.

 

[gdpolk]

Concerning the Holosun 407, in your experience, up to what distance would you say is a reasonably accurate range. I just tried a red dot sight for the first time but it was at a concealed weapons carry class (required in California for a permit) in a classroom situation. I have not used one. They seem very interesting and versatile, including nighttime use.

That’s more of a question about an individual’s eyesight than a mechanically accurate question. I have poor eyesight and for me, I can reliably hit 9/10x shots within a 6” plate with irons out to 40-60 yds, with a dot out to 60-70yds, and with a scope out to 100-120yds. The biggest thing that affects what distances I’m proficient at for me is actually just lighting conditions and how well I can see the sights and target. What the dot does that improves the experience is allows for a two eyes open shooting which is useful for moving game like feral pigs in timber and it glows which helps me to see the aim point in low light against a dark bodied animal like a black pig or black bear. Technically it also helps increase the rate of fire, but as a hunter that’s irrelevant to me. The downside to running a dot is it adds bulk/complexity which makes it less handy and it requires a different hold which becomes a training issue. None of my carry pieces have an optic for these reasons but I like it on my 480 Ruger which I use as my primary hunting gun for spot and stalk hunting and bear over bait.

I use my scoped 44 as a range toy and very infrequently as a late season hunting option when deer hunting old growth timber after the leaves have fallen, where shots often range in the 70-100yds range as the terrain opens up. Overall it’s my least favorite sighting option for a handgun because the bulk it adds really detracts from the handiness of a handgun which is the point of having a handgun, but it has its place I guess.

My favorite sights for overall/general use and that are on everything I can put them on except these two are the Dawson Precision fiber optic fronts with a black adjustable rear. Nothing fancy but they show up well, carry beautifully, glow for contrast making them easy to pick up, are thinner than the factory front post which makes precision easier to shoot for, are user serviceable for light tubes if they break or you want another color, and are made very very well.

 

[65Whelen]

Most of my experience with a scoped pistol is with a T/C, one thing for sure with magnum pistols you don't go cheap. If you buy budget it's trouble. Quality is key.

That said I don't care for a scoped pistol. I have trouble with them, just couldn't shoot accurately consistently. Now reddots I like and we are currently in an age of reddots.

629



35 Rem. This is old school. It's been this setup for many years.

 

[mtgianni]

In the 90's an acquaintance had a 44 Redhawk he scoped. He broke two Leopold reticles and was treated well under warranty. He hated buying foreign products but went with a Simmons after the owner of the gun shop recommended them to him. It was still working 5 years later.

 

[Gun Relics]

That’s more of a question about an individual’s eyesight than a mechanically accurate question. I have poor eyesight and for me, I can reliably hit 9/10x shots within a 6” plate with irons out to 40-60 yds, with a dot out to 60-70yds, and with a scope out to 100-120yds. The biggest thing that affects what distances I’m proficient at for me is actually just lighting conditions and how well I can see the sights and target. What the dot does that improves the experience is allows for a two eyes open shooting which is useful for moving game like feral pigs in timber and it glows which helps me to see the aim point in low light against a dark bodied animal like a black pig or black bear. Technically it also helps increase the rate of fire, but as a hunter that’s irrelevant to me. The downside to running a dot is it adds bulk/complexity which makes it less handy and it requires a different hold which becomes a training issue. None of my carry pieces have an optic for these reasons but I like it on my 480 Ruger which I use as my primary hunting gun for spot and stalk hunting and bear over bait.

I use my scoped 44 as a range toy and very infrequently as a late season hunting option when deer hunting old growth timber after the leaves have fallen, where shots often range in the 70-100yds range as the terrain opens up. Overall it’s my least favorite sighting option for a handgun because the bulk it adds really detracts from the handiness of a handgun which is the point of having a handgun, but it has its place I guess.

My favorite sights for overall/general use and that are on everything I can put them on except these two are the Dawson Precision fiber optic fronts with a black adjustable rear. Nothing fancy but they show up well, carry beautifully, glow for contrast making them easy to pick up, are thinner than the factory front post which makes precision easier to shoot for, are user serviceable for light tubes if they break or you want another color, and are made very very well.

Thanks for the answer. For pistol shooting, that is terrific accuracy.

 

[gdpolk]

Thanks for the answer. For pistol shooting, that is terrific accuracy.

I’d love to get better but for now that’s just where I’m at with wheel guns. When I first got into magnum revolvers a 6” plate was a challenge at 25yds with full power loads but like most things in life, practice helps. I don’t get to shoot nearly as often as I’d like to but I try to make time to play and train as I can when it’s not disruptive to family needs.